Show-case.



r. KAINER.

Patented Nov. 14, 1911.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH ponwlssmNflTcN. D. c.

TINTTED BTATFB PATENT @FFTQE.

FRANK KAINER, 0F SAGERTON, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 J. E. MoCOR-D, OF

SAGEB'I'ON, TEXAS.

SHOW-CASE.

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To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK KAINER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sagerton, in the county of Haskell and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Show-Cases, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in show cases.

The object of the invention is to provide a show case designed for containing and displaying cigars and kindred articles and so arranged that intersecting portions of the front and top of the case may be opened and closed by a novel mechanism including a lever projecting at the rear side of the case.

Among other objects are, the arrangement in the operating mechanism whereby the front closure is moved downward a short distance previous to the initial movement of the top closure; the provision of a portion on the top closure overhanging the front closure when in closed positions; and the provision of a locking knuckle joint in connection with the operating lever whereby the closures are held against movement unless the lever is swung.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described that will be strong, durable, efficient and simple and comparatively inexpensive to construct, also one in which the several parts will not be likely to get out of working order.

WVith the above and other objects in view the invention has relation to certain novel features of construction and operation, an example of which is described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a transverse vertical sectional view showing one end of the case, Fig. 2 is a detail in plan of that portion of the operating mechanism shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view showing the other end of the case, Fig. 1 is a detail in plan of that portion of the operating mechanism shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a detail in cross section taken on the line ss of Fig. 3, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the case.

In the drawings the numeral 1 designates a cigar case having at its upper end a display compartment 2 below which is located a storage compartment 3. The case has a Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 8, 1911.

Patented Nov. 1a, 1911. Serial No. 631,916.

top frame 4 open at its front side. In the rear half of the top frame a sash 5 is fixed. A vertical sash 6 is fixed in the front of the case and extends up to the bottom of the display compartment. Below the sash 5 guide rails 7 extend from the front to the rear horizontally of the case. Between these guide rails a horizontal closure or sash 8 is mounted to slide.

The sash 8 carries a cross bar 9 projecting thereabove and having its surface flush with the surface of the top frame whereby the latter is given a continuous appearance when said sash 8 is in its closed position. When the sash 8 is moved rearward under the sash 5 the bar 9 will engage the latter and the forward portion of the top frame will be opened so that access may be had to the display compartment. The bar 9 has a strip 10 depending in front of a movable sash or closure 11 disposed vertically at the front end of display compartment. This sash 11 normally has its upper portion behind the strip 10 and under the bar 9 while its lower rail stands immediately in the rear of the top rail of the sash 6. Vertical guide ways 12 are arranged at each end of the case and extend down a sufficient distance to permit the sash 11 to be lowered to a point where its top rail will be substantially flush with the top rail of the sash 6. By moving the horizontal sash 8 rearward and the vertical sash 11 downward the entire front portion of the display compartment is opened leav= ing no cross bars, rails, or other obstructions.

Across the rear wall of the case a shouldered strip 1 1 is secured. At the front of the case a similar strip 15 is disposed. At each end the bar 15 is secured to an angular bracket 16 projecting from the end of the case as shown in Fig. 5. Between the strips 1 1 and 15 a slatted shelf 17 is removably supported and forms the bottom of the display compartment. On this shelf boxes of cigars and other articles may be placed.

One of the essential features of this invention is an operating mechanism whereby the sashes 8 and 11 may be moved to open or close the display compartment and so arranged that-when said sashes are in their closed position it will be impossible to open the case by attempting to move either sash without swinging an operating lever. The operating mechanism comprises cars 18, one projecting from the under side of the front of the sash 8 at each endthereof. At each end of the case an arm 19 extends forward to a point near the ear 18. Each arm is pivotally mounted at its rear end on a stud 20 projecting from the end of the case adjacent the rear wall. A link 21 extends from each ear 18 being pivoted therein and has its rear end pivotally engaging the central portion by means of an integral hook 22. From the forward end of each arm a hanger 23 depends and has a loop portion 21 at its lower end. Each loop portion 24 engages a screw eye 25 projecting from the bottom of the sash 11 and under the adjacent bracket 16. It will be noted that when the parts are in their closed position the links 21 and arms 19 are substantially parallel and the screw eyes 25 are at the lower end of the loop portions 24:. Across the rear wall of the case a crank shaft 26 is mounted in brackets 27 and provided with forwardly extending crank arms 28 normally substantially parallel with the arms 19. The crank arms have laterally projecting studs 29 engaging in slots 30 in the arms 19 as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. At one end of the case a lever 31 is pivoted in the rear wall so as to have a handle portion extending in rear of the case and a portion extending into the case. A short link 32 has its upper end pivoted to the central portion of one of the crank arms while its lower end is forked and pivotally receives the innerend of the lever 31 whereby a knuckle joint is formed. The forked end of the link 32 has a transverse lip 33 in position to be engaged. by a shoulder 34 on the lever 31. The inner end of the lever and the link 32 are alined when the parts are in the closed or normal position and extend at an angle to the rear wall as shown in full lines in Fig. 3.

It is apparent from the drawings that to move either of the sashes 8 or 11 the arms 19 must be swung downward which would necessitate a similar movement of the crank arms 28. The link 32 being alined with the lever 31 and so held by the knuckle joint prevents the said downward movement unless said joint is broken. In this way a lock is formed and the case cannot be opened except by swinging the lever 31 to break the knuckle joint.

To open the case the lever 31 is swung, the handle portion being moved upward. The initial movement of said lever breaks the knuckle joint and loosens the connections between the parts sufficiently to allow the arms 19 to swing down far enough to lower the sash 11 below the strip 10 previous to the movement of the sash 8. As the handle portion of the lever is swung upward the crank arms 28 are swung down ward by the link 32. These arms swing the arms 19 downward, the latter carrying the inner ends of the links 21 downward and pulling said links inward to the position shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3. lVhen the arms 19 are swung downward the hangers 23 are lowered thus moving the front sash 11 downward. At the same time the links 21 pull the top sash 8 rearward and under the sash 5, the case thus being opened and the parts assuming the position shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3. If it is desired to close the case it is merely necessary to press downward on the handle portion of the lever 31 when the parts will be returned to their normal position.

It is obvious that the case may be opened and closed expeditiously. The bar 9 gives the case a finished appearance and bymaking the strip 10 closely engage the sash 11 a tight joint between the sashes may be had, said joint also being concealed. Suitable doors may be provided in the rear side of the case whereby access may be had to the display and storage compartments.

hat I claim, is:

In a show case, the combination with the end and rear walls of the case, and a horizontal. and a vertical closure slidably mounted between the end walls and toward and from the rear wall, of arms pivoted at the intersections of the end and rear walls and projecting forward into the case, hangers depending from the forward ends of the arms and having connection with the lower portion of the vertical closure, links extending rearward from the front portion of the horizontal closure and pivoted to the arms, a crank shaft mounted on the rear' wall, crank arms extending forward from the shaft and having pivotal connection with the arms, a link pivoted to one of the crank arms and having its lower end forked, a lip extending across the forked end of said link, a lever mounted in the rear wall of the case and having a handle portion extending outward from said wall and an inner portion projecting into the case, the inner end of the lever being pivoted in the forked end of the last ,named link, and

a shoulder provided. on the inner end of the lever disposed to engage the lip.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK KAINER.

Witnesses:

E. G. BALZER, E. O. VVENDEBORN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. O. 

